Container uncaser and caser



Feb. 14, 1956 H. LAUB CONTAINER UNCASER AND CASER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1952 Feb. 14, 1956 H. I AUB lll CONTAINER UNCASER AND CASER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1952 HTTO/QA/EV Feb. 14, 1956 H. LAUB m 2,734,323

CONTAINER UNCASER AND CASER Filed Jan. 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVEN TOR. HEQMQN 1 708 .ZH'

KBLMW Feb. 14, 1956 H. LAUB m 2,734,323

CONTAINER UNCASER AND CASER Filed Jan. 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. HEeMfl/J L405 .22"

United States Patent CONTAINER UNCASER AND CASER Herman Lau b III, Alhambra, Califi, assignor of fifteen "per cent to Robert E. Geauque, Van Nuys, Calif.

Application January 8, 1952, Serial No. 265,474-

9 Claims. (CI. 53-41) This invention relates to a device and method for uncasing empty containers and for casing the same containers after thefilling operations, and more particularly "to "the machinery and method 'of accomplishing such operations in a minimum of time with a minimum of 1361- A sonnel.

lntprior machines and methods for accomplishing these results, it has been customary to have the empty containers packed in cases, right'side up with the top flaps of the cartons unsealed. The cases are then-delivered tothe filling-machine where an operator will remove the-containers one at a time from the cases and manually place the containers into the -filling machine.

The empty case is then manually placed on a conveyor and delivered to the station where the filledcontainers are againtpacked.

Another previous'methodof uncasing the containers is to conveyorwhich leads to an 'unscramblingmachine. After the containers :have been -filled,'it has been customary=to manually :place the filled containers hack into the-empty cases one at a time. Also, an emptycase-has beenpositioned underneath the-conveyor and means are provided for dropping one caseload at-a time into theempty case through chutes. Thisdropping of the containers "canbe very detrimental to the containers since considerable damage can result during dropping. Also, in the-casing operation, it has been customary to place the open side 7 of the empty caseoverthe containers as tthey come from the filling machine. THowever, this operation requires thatthe cas'es be turned upside down sothat the-ope'n-flaps canfbe sealed. This case turning operation can also he very damaging 'tothe containers and to theircaps. In eall -of the, previous casing operations, the .open 'fiaps-are-tmain- 'tained on the 'top of the case and the flapsare glued in this position. "Therefore, the cases must lie-passed through acorn'pres'sion unit in order to keep theflaps' intthe-closed positionfor the ,period of time necessary for-the=glue to set. If no compression unitis available, the openiflaps can be manually closed after qgluing and it is thennecessary to manually turnthe cases over in order :tohold'the fiap'sj in position by the weightof .thesfilled containers so thafthejglue willhave an opportunityto set.

In order to overcome the disadvantages ofprior devices and methods,'the present invention utilizes cases which are "delivered'tothe uncasing operation with both the cases and empty containers right side up and with the "bottom flap's 'open. This arrangement makes it ,possible, after the two outside "flaps are plowed open, lfor ant-operator to drop the empty containers out ofthe-case ontotarconveyor incondition to'be unscrambled'or filledtingroups. A U-shaped filling and labelling line is utilizedan'd-the empty containers enter the lin'eat oneend while the filled containers leave "from the other 'end. These ends are positioned adjacent each-other so that one operator can drop the empty containers from the case and place the same case over ag'roup of filled containers "leaving the filling line. This makes it possible to-haveonly one simp rl 'ght handling operation forea'ch case. its the r 2,734,323 Patented Feb. 14, 1-956 2 caseis positioned-over the top :of the -filled containers,=it also operates a novel trippingmechanism whichprovides that only the number of containers required to fill the case will leave the line. After the case is completely positionedover the containers, novel means are provided toplow under .the'flaps and apply gluetothe outside flaps while the case and container are still in the upright vposition. Thereafter, the weight of :the containers will .hold the flaps inposition and allow thevgluetotset. It isreadily apparent that the subject inventionprovides a means of quickly uncas ing the empty containers and casing the filled containers. All manual handling of individual containers is eliminated as well as the manual turning of cases with their empty or filled containers. vAlso, all manual opening or closing of the flaps is completely eliminated by this invention as wellas the need for .additional case sealing-equipmentand compression units. The containers are not dropped and/or turned and thus there are no unnecessary strains on containers and cases during the uncasing and'casing operations.

ltis therefore an object of this invention to provide a device and method for uncasing and casingcontainers which provide .for one-simple, light-weight handling op- .eration-for each case. This handling operation is preferably a manual operation although it could be done mechanically.

mechanical means.

Another ohject is the provision of a novel tripping me'chanismwhich provides that only thenumberlof filled containers required to'fill a case will leave the filling line.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide means for sealing the containers wherein the flaps are folded 'into position -underneath the case and thereafter the weight of 'thecontainers in'the case serves to hold the flaps in 'positionto allow'the gluetoset.

These and other objects of the invention not:specifical1y setforth above'will 'become readily apparent .from the specification and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 21 isa-plan view of "the invention showing the relationship of the various components thereof.

Figure'Z is "a-perspectiveview of theuncaser unit of Itlhis invention illustrating the "means for unfolding the aps.

Figure :3 :is an end-elevational view of the 'uncas erunit taken :in .the adirectiontof arrows '3--3 of Figure 2 illustrating the manner :in :whichthe outside flaps: of the case aresopened-bytheiflap;plows;

Figure 4 is a plan 'view-of the easer unit illustrating the mannerin which the filled containers aregroupedfor casing.

Figure 5 is a side elevational .view of the tcaser tunit showingthe mannerin which the cases are positioned over the-topofthefilledcontainers. v

Figure '6 is an "end elevational view .of the sid'e pressure conveyor unit-in-thedirection of"arr'ows 66 of Figure 4 illustrating the manner in which the inside flaps are folded under the 'case. v

Figure r7i is: amlan-view-of-the conveyor unit-along which the outside flapsare;gluedzand -folded under-the-case.

, aEigure 8\ isa sideelevational view of the:conveyor-unit in the direction of arrows -8-8 of Figure 1 illustrating the gluing unit andtheflap plows.

.Figure 9 is an end elevational view of-therconveyor unit in "the direction of arrows 9-9 inaFigui-e 7 illustrailing the manner in Whi'ch'the' outside fiapsrarezfolded un er.

Figure 10 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the power units for the various components of the subject invention.

The embodiment of the present invention chosen for illustration is shown in Figure 1 and comprises generally an uncaser unit 1 which opens the bottom two outside flaps of the case holding the empty containers and an operator 2 who pulls the case from the uncaser unit and allows the empty containers to fall onto a conveyor belt leading to the unscrambler unit 3. The caser unit 4 is positioned next to operator 2 so that the operator can place the empty case, which has just been unloaded, over the filled containers in caser unit 4. After the empty case has been placed over the top of the filled containers and pushed completely down, the case with its containers is moved by side pressure conveyor unit 5 or by gravity, and during this movement the bottom inside flaps are folded up underneath the filled containers by flap plows. The cases are then received by conveyor unit 6 which contains means for applying glue to the bottom outside flaps and for then folding these glued flaps into position under the case.

Referring to Figure 2, the rolls 7 and 8 of uncaser unit 1 receive cases from the conveyor 9 driven by motor 9. Each case contains empty containers and has its inside and outside bottom flaps closed in the regular manner but unsealed. As the case moves onto rolls 7 and 8, the outside bottom fiaps will be pressed down against the tilted rolls. The rolls 7 and 8 are tilted down toward each other a sufiicient amount so that the weight of the empty containers can force the outside flaps against the rolls. The rolls 7 have their ends pivotally mounted in end channels 10 and 11 while rolls 8 have their ends similarly mounted in end channels 12 and 13. These end channels have an end portion which is angularly positioned with respect to the rest of the channels so that there exists a slight difference in longitudinal pitch at point 14 along the rolls 7 and 8. This change in pitch separates the bottoms of adjacent cases enough so that protruding flaps will not hold up flaps on the preceding case and the outside fiaps will always be free to drop without interference from other cases.

The rolls 7 and 8 and accompanying channels are supported by a number of members 15, 16 and 17 (only member being shown for rolls 7), and these members are slidably mounted on a base frame 18. The members 15 and 16 supporting each of the rolls are connected together by a section 19 having a central threaded opening 20. The tilted rolls 7 and 8 can be spaced apart in the transverse direction by the rotation of cranks 21 (only one of which is shown) pivotally mounted on opposite sides of frame 18. The screws 22 attached to each crank 21 pass through threaded openings and are rotated by the cranks 21 to bodily move the members 15, 16 and 17 and the rolls 7 and 8. Thus, the space between the rolls can be adjusted so that the rolls can receive cases of various width. The rolls can be locked in adjusted position by lock nuts 23. A pair of guide rods 24 and 25 are mounted on channels 10 and 11 respectively by means of collars 26 welded to the ends of the channels and by rods 27 passing through these collars. The space between the rods 24 and 25 can be adjusted by movement of rods 27 through collars 26 in order to regulate the height and the level of the bottom of the cases resting on rolls 7 and 8.

During the movement of a case over rolls 7 and 8, the outside flaps will drop down against the rolls and the tilted plow 28 will pass above the outside flaps and will support the inner flaps as the case moves off of the rolls. The plow 28 is tilted somewhat downwardly so that as the case moves along the plow, the plow will force the empty containers back up into their normal position in the case. The case will then be pushed along plate 29 by following cases and will move along on its bottom inside 4 I flaps. During this time the outside flaps will come into contact with the flap plows 30 and 31 and the outside flaps will be lifted upwardly into position to be grasped by the operator. These flap plows are in the form of a helix so that the flaps will be gradually raised during movement of the case. The cases will be guided along plate 29 by guide rods 24 and 25 and a limit switch 32 is attached to rod 24 by means of a rod 33 which is supported by collar 34. This limit switch has an arm 35 which, when contacted by a case, will stop the conveyor 9 so that the cases will no longer be moved along plate 29. The position of arm. 35 can be adjusted along rod 24 to allow for the coast of the cases imparted by conveyor 9. After the operator has removed the case of empty containers from plate 29, the switch 32 will allow the conveyor 9 to push the next case into position to be lifted off by the operator. The entire uncasing unit is supported by a stand which is comprised of legs 36 and 37 and a cross member 38.

The operator 2 will manually move the case from uncaser unit 1 into position over the unscrambler conveyor 39 and will allow the empty containers to drop out of the bottom of the case onto the conveyor and thereby open the bottom inside flaps. The operator will lift the case by grasping the outside bottom flaps which have been turned completely up and by pressing these flaps against the sides of the case. The empty containers will pass through unscrambler 40 and will be moved by conveyor 40' to the filling machines. The operator then will place the empty case into position over a case load of filled containers accumulated in the caser unit 4. The caser unit 4 (see Figures 4 and 5) has a conveyor 41 driven by motor 42 which moves the filled containers onto a plate 43 which has a series of longitudinal slits. Two arms 44 (only one of which is shown in Figure 5) are positioned on opposite sides of plate 43 and are pivotally mounted at one end at pivot points 45. These arms support a series of guides 46 which serve as guides for the containers leaving the conveyor 41. Two of these guides are integral with arms 44 while the remainder are secured to the arms at a position in front of plate 43 so that they can pivot up and down in the slits in the plate 43. As shown in Figure 4, there are five guides 46 mounted by arms 44 and the three center guides move in three slits in plate 43.

A pair of casing arms 47 project upwardly from two of the guides 46 and then backwards toward conveyor 41 at their outer ends. Also, a stop 48 is carried by the arms 44 and is positioned between the end of plate 43 and the adjacent edge of dead plate 49. With the arms 47 in the upward position, filled containers can leave conveyor 41 and move between guides 46 until the leading containers hit stop 48. Additional containers will move up against the leading containers and load onto plate 43 a full case load of filled containers in the manner illus trated in Figure 4 (wherein a full case load comprises 12 containers). A pair of lever arms 49 (only one of which is shown in Figure 5) are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of plate 43 by brackets 50. The longer sections of arms 49 carry four stops 51 which are positioned to project upwardly through holes in plate 43 and between guides 46. These longer sections also mount a counterweight 52 which normally holds the stops 51 below the plate 43. A rod 53 is secured to the shorter sections of lever arms 49 and projects completely across the bottom of plate 43.

Referring to Figure 5, whcn the operator presses an empty case over a load of filled containers resting on plate 43, he will force the arms 47 downwardly and move the guides 46 out of the slits in plate 43. This results because the casing arms 47 in the up position cover a portion of the last row of containers which complete the full case and by pivoting the arms 47 downwardly, they will move out of the way of this last row and allow the empty case to pass downwardly. As the guides stem-pea 46move downwardly, theystrike the rod 53and cause the steps 51 to move upthrough the hole's in'pla'te 43' and in front of the filled containers which are not covered by the empty case. This prevents additional filled containers from moving onto plate 43 during-the casing operation. Also,- as the guides 46- move downwardly, the stop 48 is also moved from between plate'43 and dead plate 49 to allow the operator, after he-has passed the empty case around the filled containers, to move the case-forward from-plate43 to plate 49'. As soon as the filled case is on deadplate-49, the guides 46 and arms 47 willbe moved upward by counterweight 52 acting through rod 53, and atthe same-time the stops 51 will drop away from plate 43'. The plate 43' will then be in condition to receive-a new'case of filled containers and these filled containers Will' move forward until the first rowof containers strikes the stop48-wherc they will be in'a position to again be'cased by the operator.

As thefilled case is moved onto dead plate 49, it will be'engaged by side conveyors 54 and SS'which are driven by motors 56 and 57' respectively. At this time the inside bottom flaps 58'wil1'drop down along the edges of plate 49while the outside bottom-flaps 59will be lying along plates 43 and 492 As the case" is moved along plate 49 by conveyors 54 and 55, the inside bottom flaps 58 engage helical flap; plows 60 and 61 which fold the inside flaps underneath thecase as it moves from plate 49 onto conveyor 62. The end ofplate 49 is'formed into shoe 63 which allows the inside flap to come up to the bottom of the case and against the filled containers prior to moving onto conveyor 62. A' slight space is left between shoe 63 and the edge of the conveyor 62for this The side conveyors are mounted by a frame 64 and the plows 60 and 61'aresecu'red by brackets to purpose.

this frame.

The roll conveyor 62 moves the filled cases in a direction atrig ht angles to their movement by the side conveyors and is wide enough to support one" of the out-' side flaps which precedes the case on to the conveyor. From conveyor 62, the cases move onto conveyor belt 65 and the outside flaps are open. A motor 66'serves topans 69 and 70 respectively by motor 66. A pressure roller '71 is mounted above eachof therollers 67 and 68 and guide plates 72 and 73 are mounted on the glue pans 69 and 70 respectively and in position to direct the out side bottom flaps of the'filled-case between the glue rolls and the pressure rolls in order to apply a coat of glue to the outside flaps.

After the coat of glue has been applied to the outside 65 onto dead plate 74 where it is pushed along by sucbottom flaps, the containeris moved by belt conveyor ceeding cases. A pair of guide rods 75 and 76 extend from the end of the plate74 back to the end'of conveyor 62 and are spaced apart the width of a case so that the cases will follow the guide rods and remain on the conveyors and the plate. These guide rods are supported by brackets 77 which are-secured to the frames for plate 74 and conveyor 62.

As the filled case moves along the plate 74, the inside flaps will be underneath" thecase and the outside flaps will engage the helicahfiap plows 78" and 79 which are supported by the rods 75 and 76 respectively. These plows will serve to turn the outside flaps underneath the filled case as they move ofi the shoe 74': at theend of plate 74, and onto the belt conveyor 80 which is .driven by motor 81. The shoe 74' is spaced somewhat from the end of conveyor 80 to allow for this action; When the filled cases arrive on conveyor 80, the outside flaps will be held in position by the weightof the containers in the case of a sufficient time toallow the glueto" set and bysuchtime, the cases can be set-onpalletsior oth'-' erwise-stored without danger of 'the cases becomingungluedr When the subject invention is placedin operation,-case's containing empty containers will movealong-"conveyor 9' and the'bottoms of these cases will be'folde'd in the usual way but will be unsealed. The empty contain'ers will be 'rightside'up in'the case, andthe junction of the bottom outside flaps will be positioned in the direction of movement of the conveyor. the rolls 7 and 8, theoutside bottom flaps will dropfdown onto the rolls and will be moved away from the bottom:

of the cases by shoe23' as the cases pass onto'deadpla'te- 29; The'fiap plows 3G and 31' arein the iorm' of a helixiand willlift the outside .flaps upwardlyin the man ner illustrated inFigure.3 as the cases move tothelend.

of plate 20.

At this time the operatorrZ willl lift-the case 'and empty. containers from the"plate=29 and movethecase over conveyor 39. The empty containers :will be allowed to drop out, rightside uponto .the conveyor 39 and pass throughuuscrambler 40 and ontoconveyor 40% The erator will then move the empty case which is still right-.

side up into position over a case load of filledcontainers assembled on plate 43.. Both the inside and outside :bot-

tom'fiaps of the containerwill be open and will. allow the operator to pass the empty case down: over the-filled containers. Afterthis is'donethe inside bottom flaps: will drop over the sides of plate 43and onset the out side bottom'flaps :will lie on dead plate. 49.

position. to prevent further filled-containers from mov-- ing onto plate 43 While' the operator is moving a filled case onto plate 49. After the ifilledcaseis-onplate 49; the armsr l'l will moveupwardlyandthe stops 51 downwardly to allow. additional filled'containers to move-:onto; plate 43 until the leading containers hitstop. 48- and thereby a second case load of filled containers will immediately accumulate on'plate'43; Since stop 48is depressed during the time a filledcaseis m'oved onto.-.plate 49, thest0p 51 will be held in the up position'to'pre vent other filled containersfrom moving onto pla'te'43 during; this time.

The'side conveyors' 54 and'SS will move'thefilledcase" along plate 49 andat the same time the flap plows :60" and61 will fold under the bottom inside flaps in the manner illustrated in Figure 6 as thecontainer-moves ofif of shoe 63. The conveyor 62 will. then move 'the filled cases onto belt 65 wherethe outside fiaps will be directed past the gluing rolls andxwill receive-a coating.

of glue which will stick the flaps together but will not stick to the containers.

and 79 which willfold the bottom outside-flaps intoposition under the case in the manner illustrated in- Figure 9 as the case moves'ofi of shoe 74' and onto conveyor .80. The filled cases will then remain on the'conveyorfor a sufiicienttime to allow the glueon the bottom outside flaps to set prior to stackinglor loading;

the cases onto pallets. It is therefore apparent that duringfthe operation of the subject invention, the cases atall' times remain: in the upright position and the bottom flaps are opened and closed mechanically. Also, since the empty'and filled containers are always in-the-upright tainers during the uncasing and-casing operations.

erations although a chute 82 (Figure 1) C31'l' b6-Pf0- vided for convenient storage of-empty cases .bythe operator if suchstoragespace 'isneeded because ofthelack As the cases move onto The cases-will then move onto. plate 79 wherethe outside flaps encounter flap plows '78- of filled containers. The schematic wiring diagram for the various motors is illustrated in Figure and the switch 32 is shown in the circuit for motor 9.

This invention makes it possible to unease and case the containers with a minimum of personnel, and it is contemplated that the one operator involved could be displaced by machinery to handle the functions described for the operator. However, the operator is desirable because some inspection of the cases and containers is usually necessary at the point where the operator is positioned. The reference to containers made herein contemplates containers made of any suitable material such as glass, metal, plastic, etc. and cases of any suitable material can also be used for these containers. It is understood that various other modifications arc contemplated and may be readily resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container uncaser, first means for conveying a case of empty containers, said case and containers being right side up with the bottom flaps of said container in position but unglued, said first means comprising a pair of conveyors inclined toward each other to allow a bottom edge of said case to roll along each of said conveyors, the weight of said containers being sufficient to force each bottom outside flap downwardly against one of said conveyors, supporting members for mounting each of said inclined conveyors in a manner that each conveyor has a slight difference in longitudinal pitch at the same position intermediate its ends in order to separate the bottom of said case from the bottom of the following case, and second means positioned at the end of said inclined conveyors to receive said case and plow said outside flaps away from the bottom of said case.

2. A container caser comprising first means for receiving a case load of containers, second means mounted for up and down movement with respect to said first means, said second means mounting a series of container guides to guide said containers onto said first means in rows when said second means is in the up position, a stop carried by said second means for collecting said containers on said first means when said second means is in the up position, one or more casing arms carried by said second means in position to be moved downwardly by an empty case as said case is positioned over a case load of containers accumulated by said first means, said second means being moved downwardly to its down position by said arms to lower said guides and said stop so that said filled case can be moved off said first means while the bottom flaps of said filled case are open.

3. A container caser as defined in claim 2 having third means for supporting said filled case as said case is manually moved off said first means without turning said case, side conveyor means for receiving said filled case from said third means and fcrceably moving said case along said third means, and fourth means associated with said side conveyor means for plowing under the inside bottom flaps of said case into closed position as said case is moved by said conveyor means, said inside bottom flaps being thereafter retained in closed position by the weight of said containers.

4. A container caser as defined in claim 3 having conveyor means for receiving said filled case from said side conveyor means without turning said case and moving said filled case at right angles to its movement by said side conveyor means, fifth means associated with said conveyor for applying glue to said outside bottom flaps and sixth means for plowing under said outside bottom flaps into closed position, said outside bottom flaps being retained in closed position by the Weight of said containers.

5. A container caser and case sealer comprising first means for moving a case of containers with both the case and containers right side up while said inside and outside bottom flaps are open, second means associated with said first means for plowing under said inside bottom flaps into closed position, third means for receiving said case of containers from said first means without turning said case and thereafter moving said case at right angles to its movement by said first means, fourth means associated with said third means for applying glue to the outside bottom flaps, and fifth means for plowing under the outside bottom flaps into closed position after said case leaves said third means, said inside and outside bottom liaps being held in closed position after being plowed under by the weight of the containers in said case.

6. In a device for easing filled containers, means for conveying filled containers in a case having its inside and outside bottom flaps open, means for turning under said inside bottom fiaps while said case is being moved by said conveyor means, means for moving said case in a direction at right angles to said conveying means with its inside bottom flaps closed and its outside bottom flaps open, means for applying glue to said outside bottom flaps during movement by said moving means and means for thereafter turning under said outside bottom flaps.

7. A method of casing filled containers which comprises placing the open bottom of an empty case over a case load of filled containers on a conveyor with the outside bottom flaps lying on said conveyor, turning under the inside bottom flaps during movement on said conveyor, moving said case and containers on a second conveyor placed at right angles to said first conveyor, applying glue to the bottom outside flaps and thereafter turning under said outside flaps during movement on said second conveyor.

8. in a container uncaser, rst conveyor means for conveying a case of empty containers, said case and containers being right side up with the bottom flaps of said container in position but unglued, second conveyor means comprising a pair of conveyors inclined toward each other and positioned to receive said case from said first conveyor means, said containers being of sufficient weight to force each outside flap downwardly against one of said inclined conveyors, flap turning means positioned at the end of said inclined conveyors to receive said case and turn said outside flaps away from the bottom of said case and switch means mounted on said fiap turning means to prevent movement of said first conveyor means so long as a case remains on said flap turning means.

9. A container caser comprising first means for receiving a case load of containers, second means mounted for up and down movement with respect to said first means, said second means mounting a series of container guides to guide said containers onto said first means in rows when said second means is in the up position, a stop carried by said second means for collecting said containers on said first means when said second means is in the up position, one or more casing arms carried by said second means in position to be moved downwardly to its down position by said arms to lower said guides and said stop so that said filled case can be moved off said first means while the bottom flaps of said filled case are open, and means movable by said second means for preventing said containers from moving onto said first means while said second means is in its down position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,348,341 Winkley Aug. 3, 1920 1,422,057 Hooper July 4, 1922 1,874,669 Wagner Aug. 30, 1932 1,987,500 Wild Jan. 8, 1935 2,016,418 Eberling et al. Oct. 8, 1935 2,276,129 Wesselman Mar. l0, 1942 2,323,852 Seidel et al July 6, 1943 2,348,650 Rose May 9, 1944 2,571,790 Tompkins Oct. 16, 1951 2,634,566 Ohrn Apr. 14, 1953 

